All morning Twilight had been thinking of how to handle what happened the previous day, and Ocellus hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise.
Twilight paced to and fro. "More guards, and a few Solar Inspectors. That should help me get to the bottom of this assassination attempt." She stopped for a moment to look at Ocellus. "It may be for the best to send you to Ponyville until this is worked out."
“Would that be a good idea,” Ocellus started to say, only for Twilight to start pacing again and talking to herself. A knock came at the door, which Twilight paid little mind to, so Ocellus got to her hooves and went to open it. To her surprise, it was Caecus and Sir Phoenix, but then she recalled last night. Caecus more than likely wanted an answer.
Caecus glanced past Ocellus to Twilight. "Would this be a poor time to inquire if you would like to attend the theater with me?"
Wait, for what?Before Ocellus could answer, Twilight took note of Caecus for the first time upon hearing his question. "Absolutely not. Ocellus is safer in the palace." She moved toward Caecus, who bit his lip rather than say anything. "Do you disagree?"
"Aye. Not to call into question the honor of the griffin guards, but without knowing who or why somepony would want to see Ocellus, well... removed, she is far safer with Sir Phoenix and myself at the moment," Caecus said.
Twilight tapped a hoof and studied Sir Phoenix and Caecus as she thought. She sighed as she looked to Ocellus. "Do you want to go to the theater?"
Well I'm of little help here, and Caecus wants to know if I'll help him. Besides, a play might take my mind off of things. "Yes, that sounds nice."
"Very well," Twilight replied.
"My thanks, Princess Twilight. My father has offered his aid in dealing with this matter." Caecus gave Twilight a slight bow before he turned to Ocellus. "Very good. Is evening or midday better for you?"
“Midday would nice,” Ocellus replied.
Twilight at first seemed unsure, but then smiled. "That would be most appreciated," she replied before Caecus and Phoenix departed.
Ocellus felt strange sitting in a lodge with Caecus and Sir Phoenix waiting for the curtain to rise and out stepped a griffin dressed in as old herald. “Hear ye all, tonight you shall which life of King Glover the Great!” He announced and took a bow before the play started. Ocellus had been to a few plays in Canterlot and Ponyville but only been in a box when she was with Twilight. Some of the griffins that had taken note of Caecus, Phoenix, and her had started to whisper.
If they are anything like the ponies in Canterlot by the end of the day they will be gossiping of schemes, scandal, and trying to figure the meaning of her being at a play with Caecus. Ocellus could already imagine some of it.
As Ocellus waited for the show to begin, she became aware of a faint, pleasant aroma she couldn’t describe. She glanced around to see if she could spot the source of the smell, but without knowing if it was food, flowers, or perfume she was unable to find the source.
Phoenix seemed to study the other boxes in the theater, some of which were still empty. The ones that were filled all belonged to griffins of rank or wealth.
"Aqua tells me that this play is excellent," Caecus said, leaning back in his seat.
While Ocellus wanted to believe that Caecus was being genuine in the offer of friendship, she could help but recall his request for her aid in finding the idol. "That’s nice to know," she replied instead.
"Aye, though she does like musicals more than anything." Caecus leaned over and said something to Phoenix, who nodded in response.
Ocellus started to study the griffins in the other boxes. Some paid them no mind, while others seemed less than thrilled by their presence. "Why did you ask me to join you?" she asked.
Caecus glanced at her. "I thought it would take your mind off things. Do I need any other motive?"
“No, but I didn’t take you for the theater type.” Ocellus replied.
Caecus looked to the stage and seemed to smile. “Theater is a window into other worlds, some of myth and mystery, others of heroes and time long gone. Ballads of valour, honour, and chivalry, of villains and noble warriors, tales of romance and lost, what not to like.” He recalled fondly.
“Wait, you like romantic plays?” Ocellus asked, finding it hard to imagine Caecus sitting through a romantic play.
Caecus glanced at Ocellus. “Aye, is that strange to you?”
“No, you just don’t seem the romantic type.”
Caecus seemed in thought for a moment, then gave a devious grin. “Oh, fair maiden with eyes of northern beauty, you wound me.”
Ocellus flashed red for a moment, she knew that Caecus was messing with her and proving a point. However, there was something wrong with how he said it that made her unsure if it was all jest or not. “I… hm… Point taken.”
Caecus chuckled, before glancing to the other boxes. “So any thoughts on the request I made?”
Ocellus shook head. "Oh, I am still unsure if I should."
"Ah, no need to rush. Take your time to think it over. For now, just relax and enjoy the show." Caecus offered a smile before the curtain rose.
Ocellus tried to relax and enjoy the show, but any time she would glance at Caecus or Phoenix they were either studying the other boxes or speaking to one another. Ocellus started to look at the other boxes more closely, wondering what they were looking at. No, that one just watching the show. So is that one, she thought, looking down the line. That one seems more envious, as does that one. She was about to give up when she spotted three who were fixed on the box she was in.
The first of the three was seated in one of the finer boxes and was a griffin of high title. The next was also of high standing, but clearly not on the same level as the first. The third seemed to be a low-ranking noble. There was one thing they all shared and that seemed to be a disdain for either her or Caecus, perhaps both.
A thought struck Ocellus as the second act of the play ended, was Caecus trying to uncover who paid to have her killed. The more she thought on the more she started to notice the griffins going to and fro from the boxes, the way between acts some of the griffins she had taken note of went to the other boxes. Most of this could have been well-meaning, but others seemed unlikely.
Caecus got to his hooves. "Forgive me, but I need to stretch my legs. I'll be back before the third act starts." With that, he left the box.
Ocellus looked to Phoenix. She wasn't sure if he would talk to her or not, but she tried anyway. "So are you watching the play, or just keeping an eye for threats?"
"Mainly threats. I never was much into plays." Phoenix didn't take his eyes off the griffins all around them.
Ocellus wasn't sure what else to ask, so she went back to studying the other boxes. To her surprise, Caecus entered one of the boxes with a banner belonging to a high-ranking noble. They seemed to be talking; not a friendly kind of conversation, as neither greeted the other warmly. "That is Count Firewing Prince Caecus is speaking with, if you’re wondering," Phoenix said.
What are they talking about? Caecus didn't speak long to Firewing and soon made his way back to their box. Caecus took his seat and watch the third act without a word.
Ocellus wasn't sure if she should ask or not, so she tried to watch the third act. Caecus seemed more at ease and watched the third act, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. At the end of act three Caecus lead over to Ocellus, "I didn't think I found a play on the history of Griffinstone entertaining, but I happy to say I'm pleasantly surprised. How about you?"
"So far I like the story, and the actors are really talented." Ocellus chuckled as she recalled the time she and her friends had tried to put on a play.
Caecus raised a brow, "May I inquire what is funny?"
"Nothing, just recalling the time me and my friends put on a play."
"I take it didn't go as planned," Caecus asked.
"No, by the end our costumes were a mess, and it was a full crowd." Ocellus stopped recalling who she was talking too.
Caecus laughed, "So did you wear a costume?"
Ocellus nodded, "Yes."
Caecus had a look of curiosity. "Couldn't you have just used your magic to change into a copy of the costume?"
"Yes, but I..." Ocellus paused. "I just wanted to play the part not to become it. I know it must seem silly to you, but some changelings lose themselves to the power to become others."
Caecus lead back in his chair and seemed lost in thought for some time. "It not silly to me, in fact..." Caecus spoke before the fourth act started.
Caecus didn't speak for the rest of the play, once it was over they started back to the palace.
"Did you enjoy the play?" Caecus asked.
"Yes..." Ocellus wanted to ask why Caecus went over to speak with Count Firewing but wasn't sure if she should.
"Strange. Even Titan would say more than yes about a play." Caecus glanced at her. "I take it you took note of whom I spoke with?"
Ocellus nodded, unsure of what to say.
"Count Firewing is, let us say, one who would rather keep the Equestrian Throne out of griffin matters, and thus is willing to aid in uncovering who would want you removed," Caecus told her as they passed a few shops.
"Are you sure he means to help?" Ocellus asked.
"Aye, and he has many reasons to see you remain breathing.
What did Caecus promise him, gold? Ocellus couldn't help but wonder.
Ocellus thought over the events of the day and the request that Caecus had made. She had written down her thoughts on each and thus far was still unsure of anything.
Helping Caecus could either lead to friendship or ruin, and what’s to stop the Aquinains from using the Idol to move the griffins against them? Ocellus had wondered more than once during the day. She could still tell Twilight the whole thing, yet something stopped her. Twilight already had her hooves full trying to find who paid the assassins and the royal tour.
She could always rely on Gallus to help her, but Ocellus didn't want to put his life at risk; having him ask more questions could lead to him being found with a cutthroat. Which left her with a ponies she didn't fully trust.
Ocellus fished making a list of reasons to help and not to help in finding the Idol again. She went over the list for nearly three hours she came to a decision: she would help, but if Caecus proved to have sinister reasons for wanting the Idol she would turn the matter over to Twilight.
Ocellus was on her way to tell Caecus she was going to help find the idol. However, Caecus had left the palace earlier in the day and had yet to return.
Ocellus had taken this time to learn more about Count Firewind from the Griffin servants and guards of the palace. Nearly all that knew the name held the count in high regard; the few who didn't thought the count had his eyes on the Throne of Griffinstone. Yet, without speaking with the count herself, Ocellus couldn't decide which of the two opinions was true.
She had learned of other nobles through her questions about Count Firewing.
The gallant Baron Night Talon, the hated Baron Golden Nest, General Swiftwing, and Duke Farsight, whose family had tried to claim the throne many times; each could be the one who wants me dead, Ocellus thought as she waited in the garden.
The sound of talking at the other end of the garden drew Ocellus from her thoughts. From her place, she could see Twilight and King Highever speaking, presumably about the tour or the attempt on her life. Strangely, King Highever was tending to a wild rose bush as he talked with Twilight.
Twilight didn't seem to pay any mind to it, seemingly engrossed in the conversation the two where having. Ocellus knew she could go over, but decided against it knowing Twilight would have sent for her if she wanted her to be a part of the conversation.
Ocellus bit her lip and tried to meditate as she couldn't use her hive mind to speak with her mother and father. She had thought the amplifying crystal would have made it a simple matter, but all she got from trying was a headache.
Once we reach the Crystal Empire, I'll be able to use the Hive Mind again. She knew that would be another week or so with the attempt on her life, otherwise they would leave tomorrow.
After trying to meditate, she left the garden in favor of the library. As Ocellus strolled down the halls, she heard the melody of the high harp, played sweetly and softly. The music grew louder as she neared the dining hall. Ocellus glanced into the room and found Aqua was the one playing the harp.
Ocellus was entranced by the music, but stayed at the doorway and listened as Aqua played away at the harp. Ocellus couldn't say how long she stood there before she entered the hall and took a seat. All she knew was her mind felt at peace as the harp’s sweet melody filled the room. After some time Aqua glanced at Ocellus and smiled.
"It's called the Eldling's Kiss," Aqua said as she continued to play.
Ocellus had read of the Eldling from her studies of Aquinas, but there was little on them. All she knew was they were a mythical race and were said to have been graceful, kind, and mighty before they faded away.
"It's very lovely," Ocellus replied.
"Aye, it’s one of the oldest tunes in Aquinas. Supposedly it was written by an Eldling to win the love of a mare." Aqua didn't miss a note as she spoke.
Ocellus wanted to ask more but remained silent as Aqua played, not wanting to miss any part of the melody. It could have been minutes or hours that Ocellus listened before the music ended. Even after the song was finished, the melody's peaceful spell remained in Ocellus's mind. For the first time in days, she was truly in harmony with the world around her.
"Did you enjoy the theater yesterday?" Aqua asked as she started to play another tune.
"Yes, it was one of the better plays I've seen," Ocellus replied.
"So you visit the theater often?" Aqua smiled as the sweet music filled the hall once again.
Ocellused nodded in reply.
"If only we were in Aquinas. There are so many plays that make our history come alive." Aqua was lost in thought for a moment.
Ocellus gave a sad smile. "It sounds wonderful, but I think I wouldn't be welcome in Aquinas."
Aqua chuckled a bit. "I wouldn't say that it would be strange, but if a Highever should welcome you most would be put at ease. Aye, there are ponies I could name that would see it as an affront, but those ponies work in the shadows." Aqua smiled. "And from what I know of the royal family, I would say that Prince Caecus would be the first to welcome you."
Ocellus looked at her hooves, unsure of how to reply. She wanted to believe that it was true, but she held her doubts. For all I know Caecus is only using me to gain the idol and to lower Twilight's guard. "That sounds nice, maybe someday I’ll see it."
“I’m sure you will, and I believe you would find my homeland both strange and familiar.” Aqua smiled.
“Doubtless I would, but it was the same why with Equestria. Forgive me but I should see if Princess Twilight has need of me.” Ocellus got to her hooves and started for the door.
"I understand." Aqua started to play the 'Elding's Kiss' again as Ocellus reached the door.